Sheila Fling’s Chado Training, Zen Training, University Education, Academic career

CHADO TRAINING

1992 - introduced to tea ceremony at John Toler’s Rinzai Zen temple Sogen-In, Ouda-cho, Nara Ken, Japan. Studied  the Bonryaku series with instructor Ron Nado in Kyoto, Japan.

1993 - received the 1st group of three Urasenke Chado licenses to study from Masumi Koster, then Noriko Takayama, in Houston, Texas; travelled twice monthly from home in San Marcos, TX. 

1995 - one month study with fellowship at the Urasenke Foundation in Kyoto, Japan. 

1996-1998 - two year, half-time study with fellowship, Urasenke Foundation Midorikai & ICI, Kyoto, Japan.

1998-2000 - received the 2nd group of 5 Urasenke licenses and studied with Noriko Takahara, Austin, TX. 

1998 - began teaching Chado. 

1999 - studied (with grant) at the Urasenke Foundation, Kyoto, Japan. Lived in Zen temple.

2000 - 2006 - studied with Nabeta Tanaka (Soyu), in Dallas, Texas (traveling from San Marcos). 

2002 - Urasenke Chanoyu Study Intensive, August 19-23, Sunrise Springs, New Mexico. Instructors: Gary Soka Cadwallader, Glen Sorei Pereria, Kathy Soshu Lyons, Austin Soei Babcock. 

2003 - “Tea Beyond Japan” conference and workshops (June 12-15), Dai Bosatsu Zeno Kengo-ji, Rinzai Zen monestery and retreat center, Beecher Lake, NY. Instructors: Eido Tai Shimano Roshi Mariko and William LeFeur, Anne Johnson, Stewart Lenox, Kap Young. Thirty-eight tea practitioners attended. 

2003 - studied Chado in Japan. 

2005 - three weeks summer study with Machiko Kobayashi, Urasenke teacher, Tokyo, Japan. 

2006 - received the Urasenke chamei (tea name) Shoshin, from Nabata Tanaka (Soyu), Dallas, TX.

2017 - received Jun-kyoju (1st degree instructor) from Nabata Tanaka (Soyu), Dallas, TX.

2019 - received the Bridge of Friendship Award from the Japan America Society of Greater Austin, for 27 years of research, teaching, and service dedicated to cross-cultural understanding. 

Early Influential Urasenke Instructors In Japan 

At Urasenke Midorikai: Gary Soko Cadwallader, Torigai, Alexandre, John McGee, Sato, Nishi, Kobayashi, Elliott Michinik (ICI), Chida, Hashimoto, Bruce Hamana, Ebina. Soei (Randy Chanell) in Kyoto. Masumi Iwase Kuwayama in Osaka, and Eiko Osaki in Nara. 

Brief but influential contact with Urasenke instructors in the USA  

Christy Bartlett, Jennifer Anderson, Sosei Shizuye Matsumoto, Reiko Sugita, Saito, Bonnie (Soshin) Mitchell, Keith Snyder, Scott McDougal, Keiko Nakada.

ZEN TRAINING

1992 - first zen experience with Soto Zen Shohaku Okamura Sensei; two week study of Jodo Shinsu and received Naikan therapy with Shue Usami at Senkobo, Tado Cho, Mie Ken, Japan. 

1995-2002 - met with Okamura again at Southwest Texas Sate University; studied with Dave Collins, Reb Anderson, Barbara Kohn; sewed her rakusu with guidance of Blanche Hartman, Austin Zen Center; joined a Thich Nhat Hanh group, 

2002- Received vows & Zen name Jikei from Soto Zen Shohaku Okamura Sensei.

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

1956 - BA, Chemistry, Baylor University

1958 - MS Organic Chemistry, Baylor University

1964 - began studying Buddhism, Hinduism 

1974 - received PhD, Clinical Psychology, University of Texas at Austin 

ACADEMIC CAREER

1954-1969 - Chemistry instructor at Baylor University, North TX State University, Mary Hardin-Baylor University. 

1973-1975 - clinical psychologist, Austin State Hospital and Austin-Travis County Mental Health-Mental Retardation Center.

1975 - 2002 - Psychology instructor, Southwest Texas State University (renamed Texas State University); Ranks: Assistant Professor, 1975; Associate Professor, 1982; Professor 1987; Distinguished Professor Emerita upon retirement. 

Details at SheilaFling.com